Tucked in the Lewinstein Athletic Center is a room full of stationary bikes, energetic pop music and determined faces. For over a decade, at the helm of this spinning room has been instructor Bernie Hils. Hils, who used to be a personal fitness instructor, is renowned for her high energy and high performance classes. A beloved face in the Dartmouth fitness community, Hils sat down with The Dartmouth to discuss her inspiring fitness journey, the spinning community in Hanover and her plans for the future.
What first inspired you to be in the fitness world?
BH: I started when I was 18 years old, and it was kind of random. I lived in New Jersey at the time, and I took a class back in the ’80s. It was all choreography, and my love for fitness just blossomed from there. I’ve worked in almost every health club here at Dartmouth. I think it’s just the people and the energy. I just love people — being with them, meeting new people, teaching them new things and seeing their bodies change. You know their goals, and you know what they want to try to achieve.
At the end of the day, you don’t realize how you affect people until they tell you. When somebody says to you, “I hated spinning until I came to your class,” it reminds you that what you do affects people.
You’ve now spent 32 years at Dartmouth, and the last 15 years teaching spin classes here. How did your journey at Dartmouth start?
BH: I was a laboratory technician for 15 years, but my heart wasn’t in it. I knew I wanted to pursue fitness — it’s been my love since I was 18 — so I started by teaching a few classes and then gradually picked up some more at Dartmouth.
What is your favorite part about being a fitness instructor, particularly here at Dartmouth?
BH: I’ve met some wonderful people. I get my energy from my students and the faculty, and I just feed off them. I often run into people who say, “You’re still teaching?” But I love it as if it were my first day. Dartmouth is my home; it’s where I feel most comfortable. I just hit 32 years in March, and I’ve been teaching spin for about 15 years.
What’s special about spin as an exercise routine?
BH: What’s nice about spinning is it’s your ride: You ride at your level. You can make it as hard or as easy as you want. I still say that to the students. I get some students who come in that have never spun before, and they’re intimidated. My job is to try to make them feel comfortable. And I go from there. Nine times out of ten, people return, and they love the class. For me, that means everything. I tell my students, it doesn’t get easier — you get stronger. Spin is heart-healthy and it’s about taking care of yourself.
What do you like about spin versus personal training?
BH: Spinning is more of a group activity, so you get more people than in one-on-one personal training. The music definitely helps, too. You get in the room, and the vibe of the music and the energy of the students creates something different from personal training. Personal training is more individualized and doesn’t have the same atmosphere.
Do you have any goals for the future? Will you keep teaching spin?
BH: Spin is my passion. I can honestly say there’s nothing that I would rather be doing. I have my days where I’m tired — I just turned 59 — but I don’t feel it. I have so much energy.
My plan is to do this as long as I can and as long as my body holds up. As far as the fall goes, I’m even thinking of picking up more classes. I used to teach a strength training class too. I’m going to retire doing this, if I ever retire. I just love it so much.
Anything else you want to share with students or the Dartmouth community?
BH: The nice thing about spinning is that almost everyone knows how to ride a bike. It’s not like back in the day with aerobics, where you’re lost in choreography. Come take my spring class sometime!
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
Sid Singh ’27 is a sports editor and reporter. He is from Bethesda, Md. and Singapore and is majoring in Economics and Quantitative Social Science. Sid is also an engagement manager for Consult Your Community and a member of the Raaz dance team.
